Bach Essay Quesitons

Sequences were very common in the baroque era. Both pieces have many beautiful sequences. For example, Corelli has a descending sequence bar 21 and Bach uses a small sequence at bar 44 into 45.  

Both pieces are in a fugal style which is common in baroque as there is much imitation as well and some dialoguing. In Brandenburg the subject is repeated throughout, e.g., bar 1,9,29,39 along with the counter point. There is also dialoguing which is a conversation between two parts. In Brandenburg at bar 58 the RH harpsichord and LH harpsichord are in conversation.  This is also virtuosic like many baroque pieces. Moreover, the harpsichord plays fast scalic runs which is virtuosic e.g., bar 43-48.   

               Corelli’s piece is also using antiphonal textures. For example, from bar 13 there is a rising sequence that is shared across the string instruments which belong to the ripieno. The ripieno is part of the concerto Grosso that both composer use- this was common in the baroque era. At bar 21 there is the descending sequence consist of triplets. Triplets are used throughout both piece and add decoration like trills which are found throughout the harpsichord parts. Ornate music was common in the Baroque era. Triplets create a 6/8 feels in both piece though there are in 2/4. This is done to create music that people can dance to-a gigue which was a common baroque dance. A gigue was fast and lively hence both pieces are marked allegro.  

Both pieces are in D major and use functional harmony and root chords with perfect cadences. This was common in the Baroque.  

Bach:Bach

•Gigue

•Concerto grosso

•Fugal/polyphonic texture

•Ornaments

•Scalic – virtuosic

•Dialoguing – it allows the soloists the show off

•Figured bass

•Harpsichord - soloists

•Imitation

•Sequences

•Basso continuo -

Corelli:

•Gigue – triplets, 2/4 – 6/8 – dotted Rs

•Polyphonic

•Same key – functional harmony

•Imitation/repetition

•Sequences

•Instrumentation

•Concerto grosso -- ripieno

•Basso continuo